Finding friends through shared cancer struggles

August 04, 2010

A year ago in June, reporter Lisa Black wrote a Tribune article about her sister, Lynn Schmidt, who was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. It happened to be the same morning I was having an MRI for my newly diagnosed breast cancer. I was so moved by her article that I e-mailed her, beginning a friendship I will treasure forever.

Lynn died February 5 this year, at 43, leaving an adoring husband, two young sons, and countless friends and family members. On Friday, August 6, Lisa and I and five other women--Missy, Tracy, Kathi, Debi and Jeanette--will begin a 60-mile journey in honor of Lynn and all the strong, beautiful women and men who have lived with breast cancer. We walk as Team Lynn in the Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day for the Cure.

While I wouldn't have chosen to have breast cancer, it is what brought me to these incredible women I am honored to call my friends. Thanks to your newspaper, I am a richer person today. Hats, bandanas and wigs off to the city of Chicago for allowing this event, and to the Susan G. Komen Foundation!